Our Science
Selfward combines 21 psychological instruments backed by decades of peer-reviewed research. Here's the science behind every score.
21
Instruments
16
Peer-Reviewed
28
Citations
6,860+
Published Studies
Core Personality
Big Five
IPIP-50 Big Five Personality Inventory
The world's most-used open-source personality measure — over 3,000 published studies using the IPIP Big Five framework.
Goldberg LR, Johnson JA, Eber HW, Hogan R, Ashton MC, Cloninger CR, Gough HG (2006). The International Personality Item Pool and the future of public-domain personality measures. Journal of Research in Personality
DOI: 10.1016/j.jrp.2005.08.007Mental Health Screening
PHQ-9
Patient Health Questionnaire-9
The most widely used depression screener in clinical practice — validated in 500+ studies across 80+ countries.
Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JBW (2001). The PHQ-9: Validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of General Internal Medicine
DOI: 10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.xGAD-7
Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale
The gold-standard anxiety screener used in primary care — developed alongside the PHQ-9 for comprehensive mental health screening.
Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JBW, Löwe B (2006). A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: The GAD-7. Archives of Internal Medicine
DOI: 10.1001/archinte.166.10.1092PCL-5
PTSD Checklist for DSM-5
The standard PTSD screening tool aligned with DSM-5 criteria — developed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Weathers FW, Litz BT, Keane TM, Palmieri PA, Marx BP, Schnurr PP (2013). The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). National Center for PTSD
OCI-R
Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory - Revised
A brief, reliable screening tool for OCD symptoms across six dimensions — used in both clinical and research settings.
Foa EB, Huppert JD, Leiberg S, Langner R, Kichic R, Hajcak G, Salkovskis PM (2002). The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory: Development and validation of a short version. Psychological Assessment
DOI: 10.1037/1040-3590.14.4.485SWLS
Satisfaction With Life Scale
The most widely used life satisfaction measure in positive psychology — in continuous use since 1985.
Diener E, Emmons RA, Larsen RJ, Griffin S (1985). The Satisfaction With Life Scale. Journal of Personality Assessment
DOI: 10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13Interpersonal Dynamics
Attachment
Experiences in Close Relationships - Relationship Structures
A well-validated attachment measure based on decades of relationship science — maps your position on two fundamental dimensions.
Fraley RC, Heffernan ME, Vicary AM, Brumbaugh CC (2011). The Experiences in Close Relationships—Relationship Structures questionnaire. Psychological Assessment
DOI: 10.1037/a0022898Love Languages
Love Languages Assessment
Maps your love expression preferences across five dimensions based on Gary Chapman's widely recognized framework.
Chapman G (1992). The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate. Northfield Publishing
Chapman's Five Love Languages framework (1992), with interpretation informed by Impett et al. (2024) relationship science critique.
Conflict Style
Conflict Style Assessment
Identifies your natural conflict resolution approach across five styles based on the Thomas-Kilmann dual-axis model.
Thomas KW, Kilmann RH (1974). Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument. CPP, Inc.
Thomas-Kilmann dual-axis model (assertiveness × cooperativeness), rooted in Blake & Mouton's (1964) managerial grid theory.
Relationship
Relationship Assessment Scale
A validated 7-item measure of relationship satisfaction with 35+ years of cross-cultural evidence.
Hendrick SS (1988). A generic measure of relationship satisfaction. Journal of Marriage and the Family
DOI: 10.2307/352430Communication
Communication Style Assessment
Maps your communication approach across four styles using the assertiveness-responsiveness framework.
Merrill DW, Reid RH (1981). Personal Styles and Effective Performance. CRC Press
Merrill-Reid Social Styles framework (assertiveness × responsiveness quadrant model).
Emotional Regulation
Self-Compassion
Self-Compassion Scale - Short Form
Measures your tendency toward self-compassion vs. self-criticism — based on Kristin Neff's pioneering research.
Raes F, Pommier E, Neff KD, Van Gucht D (2011). Construction and factorial validation of a short form of the Self-Compassion Scale. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
DOI: 10.1002/cpp.702Emotion Regulation
Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale - Short Form
Identifies specific emotion regulation challenges across six dimensions — pinpoints where regulation breaks down.
Kaufman EA, Xia M, Fosco G, Yaptangco M, Skidmore CR, Crowell SE (2016). The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale Short Form (DERS-SF). Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment
DOI: 10.1007/s10862-015-9529-3Distress Tolerance
Distress Tolerance Scale
Measures your capacity to withstand emotional distress — a key resilience factor across mental health domains.
Simons JS, Gaher RM (2005). The Distress Tolerance Scale: Development and validation of a self-report measure. Motivation and Emotion
DOI: 10.1007/s11031-005-7955-3Stress Response
Stress Response Scale
Maps your automatic stress response pattern across the fight-flight-freeze-fawn framework.
Walker P (2013). Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving. Azure Coyote Publishing
Fight-flight-freeze (Cannon, 1932) expanded with fawn response (Walker, 2013). Grounded in polyvagal theory and nervous system regulation research.
Neurodivergence Screening
ADHD Screener
Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Screener
The WHO's official ADHD screening tool — identifies attention and hyperactivity patterns in under 2 minutes.
Kessler RC, Adler L, Ames M, Demler O, Faraone S, Hiripi E, Howes MJ, Jin R, Secnik K, Spencer T, Ustun TB, Walters EE (2005). The World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). Psychological Medicine
DOI: 10.1017/S0033291704002892Autism Screener
Autism-Spectrum Quotient - 10 Item
A quick autism screening tool from the Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University.
Allison C, Auyeung B, Baron-Cohen S (2012). Toward brief 'Red Flags' for autism screening: The Short Autism Spectrum Quotient. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2011.11.003Sensitivity
Highly Sensitive Person Scale
Measures sensory processing sensitivity — a temperament trait found in approximately 15-20% of the population.
Aron EN, Aron A (1997). Sensory-processing sensitivity and its relation to introversion and emotionality. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
DOI: 10.1037/0022-3514.73.2.345Career & Values
Career Interests
O*NET Interest Profiler
The U.S. Department of Labor's career interest assessment — maps your interests to 6 career dimensions using Holland's framework.
Rounds J, Su R, Lewis P, Rivkin D (2010). O*NET Interest Profiler Short Form psychometric characteristics. U.S. Department of Labor, National Center for O*NET Development
Core Values
Portrait Values Questionnaire
Shalom Schwartz's values framework — identifies your core values from the most comprehensive cross-cultural values research in psychology.
Schwartz SH (2003). A proposal for measuring value orientations across nations. European Social Survey Core Questionnaire Development
Motivation
Motivation Scale
Explores what drives you using Self-Determination Theory — the most researched framework for understanding human motivation.
Deci EL, Ryan RM (2000). The 'what' and 'why' of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry
DOI: 10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000) combined with Pink's (2009) autonomy-mastery-purpose framework.
Selfward is a self-discovery tool, not a diagnostic instrument. Results should not replace a professional evaluation. If you are in crisis, call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).